Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1887-02-26


him occupied more than an hour, and the
little chief seemed to my fancy to swell in
to giant proportions with pride as he sat his
black PAGER and answered the salutes. What
he did with these men has become history.
In the rain and frost he pushed far up the
valley to Rocktish Gap, where they LITERAL
ly rode over the disjointed fragments of an
army that Early had gathered there, cap
turing most of them, and sending them
back to Winchester, and ten striking over
the mountains to the southeast, destroying
canals and railroads, and joining Grant at
| City Point for the final work.
| saw the motley captures of this raid, as
they were corralled together by the Provost
| Marshal, and was highly edited by the talk
of some of them. One gaunt fellow gave
a graphic summary of the affair iii about
this language:
| why, we uns was there in the gap, and
we was goin to fight you uns; but you uns
came ridin' in hell-bent, and scooped we
uns up Just like so many herrin'?"
! 1t was late one night in that January,
when several of Emory's staff were sitting
up in one of our log huts at Stevenson's
Station, three miles north of Winchester,
that a negro was brought in by corporal
of the guard. He was anxious to see
"Massa General Sheridan, but was pres
emily convinced that if he had anything of
Importance to tell lie had better let us
have it.
| His mission was indeed important, if his
story was true. He said he lived at Bunk
er Hill, about twelve miles north, and was
"a Linkum niggah." There was an old
man named Link living there, who sympa-
thized with the Confederdcy, and whose
only son was in Early's army. Before day
light that morning he had seen man ride
up to Links house, and gain admittanee,
while his horse was put in the barn. The
negro had slyly watched the premises all
day, and he believed both man and horse
were there yet.
well, uncle, what of it?" our Provost
Marshal asked.
81 tink he's young Mas'r Link, sah"
Nonsense! Why, how could he get here,
through our pickets, from away off near
| Gordonsvilie?"
The negro expressed the opinion that he
had made q wide detour toward the noun
tains at the west. and come in that way.
II suppose that might be; but what's his
obiect?"
"He's spy, sah."
"Of course he is-if he's the man; but
soldiers a>nt often take such risks for the
good of the service. Has he a mother
..nve?'
Then 1 doubt if he from Early's army.
A man wouldn't come all that distance and
risk his neck merely to see his father"
The darkys face wore broad grin as
| he answered that there was young woman
living at old Links house TO whom the son
was engaged.
Now you do talk said the officer. "A
young fellow will go through fire and water
to see his sweetheart. This promises to be
important. Stay here, and I'll see about it,.
He went out, and in fifteen minutes was
back with authority from the General TO try
to make the capture, and to take whatever
he wanted for that purpose.
OF course, we we're all clamorous to go;
but the Provost Marshal thought it neces-
sarv to take only one officer beside him.
self and a dozen mounted Orderlies, all
well armed. The negro, of course, went
along as guide.
was not of this little expedition. and l
awaited the result with much interest. It
was entirely successful. Shortly after day
light the party returned, bringing the pris-
oner on the horse which the negro had rid
den away. He was an erect, manly look
ing fellow of about twenty-five. He was
very pale and much agitated now, though
he did his best to keep up bold de-
meanor.
Over our mess table at breakfast that
morning, the Provost Marshal related his
adventure.
ut was about two o'clock in the morning
when we got to Bunker Hill. The negro
pointed out the house, and Immediately
made himself scarce, in which he was quite
right; it probably wouldn't be we'll for
him to have any of those people discover
his agency in this business. Late-or early
Vi trrnc LIGHT
part of the house. | surrounded the build
ing with nine men, posted another at the
stable door, and, with the Lieutenant and the
other two, raped at the back door. The
light was out in twinkling. We ham
mered at the door till old man Link opened
a window and demanded our business.
We want to come in
A'You shan't.'
1--WE shall! We're soldiers from Ste
venson's, and have orders to search this
house
"ie became quite wild on hearing this.
but begged rs to go away and not modest
him, declaring that there was nobody in the
house but me and Sue.
II was fast getting out of patience, and
| was not polite at all. | intimated to the
proprietor, whose red night-cap was stick
| ing out of the window above. that he was Il
|
stronger, but this will do, and that if he
didn't open that door forthwith I'd burst it
| off its hinges. 80 down he came with a
| light, and admitted us-and what do you
| think? There sat, as she had sat for fifteen
minutes in the dark. Miss Sue, looking very
much frightened and trembl ng all over"
Somebody interrupted the narrative to ask
if she was handsome.
| al suppose so; didn't stop to study her
| up and find out. No doubt that unfortunate
young fellow in the guard house thinks she
is. We went right to business. Miss l
said, I'm sorry to trouble you, but We want
young Link. Just produce him.
so, he's not here, sir; indeed he's not.
| early yesterday morning.
"She Lesitated an instant to shape her
next little lie in the most plausible way.
80 he did, sir; l won't deny it. But he
went away about NOON
Whats his horse doing in the barn,
then, at this momentY' / asked at a ven
ture.
"That shot told. She sank down all i'll a
heap on the floor, crying and wringing her
hands, and imploring MS not to hurt Tom.
at was now, of course, merely II ques-
ton of making a thorough search of the
house; and would you believe it? i struck
the right place the very first thing. Up
| against the wall of this room stood one of
the great numbering clothes presses that we
see sometimes in this country. l tried the
knob, but could not open it. drew my
pistol and said in loud voice that | was